Method of reenforcing beams



Feb. 5, 1935. c. G. WATSON METHQD OF REENFORCING BEAMS Filed New 25,1951 INVENTOR.

Q? g? ArroRNEg Patented Feb. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE1,989,834 'ME'rnon F ansm onome BEAMS I Charles G. Watson, Youngstown,Ohio Application November 25, 1931, Serial No. 571,291

out resorting to the dismantling of the structures of which the beamsare a part.

A primary object of the invention .is to provide a novel reenforced beamfor use as a structural member and a novel method of reenforcing suchbeams.

To the accomplishment of this and-related ends, the invention, then,consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claim, the annexed drawing and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain forms of constructionembodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, buta'tew of the various forms in which the principle of the invention maybe used.

In'said annexed drawing:

. Fig. 1 isa cross-sectional view of a preferred form of the reenforcedbeam made in accordance 30 with my invention; and Fig. 2 is across-sectional view of a modified formof reenforced beam'made inaccordance with the invention.

As will be seen from the drawing, each beam comprises an I-beam of usualcross-section, havinto the form shown to provide portions 2:; which arein contact with the upper flange 1a of the beam, and portions 2b whichextend to the outer edges of the lower flange 1b oi the beam. Additionalreenforcement for the I-beam may be provided by a plate or element 3which is placed 5 below the lower flange or base of the beam. With thevarious parts thus assembled, portions of the plates 2 and 3 are madeintegral with the flanges of the I-beam and with each other as bywelding, as indicated in the drawing. It will bereadily seen that thewelding operations produce a rigid unitary beam having greater strengththan the I-beam itself.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the I-beam isreeniorced by means of plates 4 which are bent intermediate their edgesto form diverging portions 40, which extend to the outer edges of theflanges of the beam. The edges of the plates are made integral with theflanges of the beam as by welding, and the plates are secured to the webof the beam as by spot-welding the plates thereto at longitudinallyspaced points.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the ones explained, change being made as regards theconstructions herein disclosed, provided the means stated by thefollowing claim or the equivalents of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

The method of strengthening a bridge, or the like, supported on I beamsto which access may be had, which comprises welding an edge of a steelplate integral with one edge of a lower flange on a supporting beam,forcing a section of said plate into contact with the web of said beamand welding the opposite edge of said plate integral with the upperflange of said beam.

CHARLES G. WATSON.

